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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
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Mom Says Off-Duty Cop Shot 8-Year-Old

SAN DIEGO (CN) - An off-duty San Diego police officer shot a woman and her 8-year-old son out of road rage, after the woman criticized the cop for his erratic driving, which nearly caused a wreck, the mother claims in Federal Court.

After the near collision in Oceanside, Rachel Silva says, she pulled into a parking lot. Police Officer Franklin White pulled his car up next to her, grabbed his gun, and aimed it through the passenger window at her son, she says.

White shot her son in his left knee, Silva says, then she put the car in reverse and took off. She claims White continued to shoot at the fleeing car, hitting her twice in her right arm. One bullet shattered the bone, she says.

Her son, Johnny Silva, needed surgery to remove the bullet in his leg, the mom says.

Silva says the shooting was made possible because as a police officer, White was legally allowed to carry a gun, and abused his status as an officer to make her submit to his instructions. She says White announced that he was a cop, and ordered her to turn off her car before he shot her and her son.

Silva demands treble damages and an injunction requiring the San Diego Police Department to institute safety policies, including gun training and psychological testing.

Silva and her son are represented by Eugene Iredale.

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